leatherback

The proposed sanctuary will protect over 200 shipwrecks, along with a diverse ecosystem featuring wildlife such as sea otters, humpback whales, leatherback sea turtles and lush kelp forests.

Scientists have known that leatherbacks commonly swim from the South and Mid-Atlantic Bights during the warmer months to reach feeding areas near New England and Nova Scotia, Canada where food is plentiful.

"Other encounters include an attack on a pygmy sperm whale, predation on a northern elephant seal and Risso's dolphin, and what appeared to be a post-meal lull after scavenging a leatherback turtle."

She was watching the leatherback shuffle up the beach again in its usual dawn ritual.

Here are three women who dedicate their lives to saving one of those species - the mountain gorilla, the Chinese pangolin and the leatherback turtle.